Actors Who Have Died In 2024 So Far

Acting is one of the few professions that can help an individual touch the cusp of immortality. An actor's celebrated and captivating performance in a prominent film or television series can live on forever, cementing their name in the hearts and minds of countless generations. However, in the end, even our most beloved superheroes, princesses, and maverick cops are only human.

In 2023, the acting world was rocked by many high-profile deaths, especially toward the end of the year. Around mid-December, celebrities and fans alike were extremely disheartened to hear about "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Andre Braugher's passing, and just as the year was about to be over, news broke that "Batman Begins" and "RocknRolla" actor Tom Wilkinson also passed away. Sadly, midway through the year, 2024 also has several tragic celebrity deaths of its own. From television veterans to '80s stars, 2024 has seen the passing of several prominent actors thus far. 

Updated on August 19, 2024: We've lost a number of performers in 2024 so far, and we honor their lives and their work here.

On January 4, it was reported that "Mary Poppins" star Glynis Johns passed away at the age of 100 due to natural causes. 

Prior to her incredible success with the 1964 classic, where she starred opposite the likes of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, Johns was nominated for an Oscar in 1960 for her role as Mrs. Firth in "The Sundowners."

Aside from her prominent film and television career, which included roles in projects such as "Batman," "Dear Brigitte," "Cheers," and "Murder, She Wrote," the English actor was a Broadway marvel. In 1973, she won the Tony award for her role as Desiree Armfeldt in "A Little Night Music" and would give immense praise to the songs written by Stephen Sondheim, especially the now famous "Send in the Clowns." "I've had other songs written for me, but nothing like that," she explained to the Associated Press in 1990. "It's the greatest gift I've ever been given in the theater."

On January 5, news broke that German actor Christian Oliver, whose real name was Christian Klesper, tragically died in a plane crash the day before, along with his two daughters — Annik and Madita — and a pilot, Robert Sachs. The family was traveling in the Caribbean when their small aircraft crashed into the ocean after experiencing difficulties immediately after takeoff from J.F. Mitchell Airport in Bequia. They were reportedly on their way to Saint Lucia.

Oliver first began his professional acting career in 1994, appearing in over 20 episodes of "Saved by the Bell: The New Class." His later prominent film roles included major projects such as 2006's "The Good German" and 2008's "Speed Racer." In recent years, Oliver had appeared in five episodes of Prime Video's "Hunters," portraying a younger version of Al Pacino's Wilhelm Zuchs. Oliver had also created a successful niche for himself in the gaming world, having provided his voice for several big-name franchises such as "Medal of Honor" and "Call of Duty."

The actor is survived by his wife, Jessica Klesper. 

On January 4, the world lost television great David Soul, who was most known for portraying Kenneth Richard "Hutch" Hutchinson in "Starsky & Hutch." The actor was 80 and is survived by his wife, Hellen Snell. After his passing, she paid a heartfelt tribute. "He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend," she said in a public statement. "His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."

Indeed, Soul was a multi-talented individual. Aside from his acting chops, the actor was well-known for his love for baseball and even received a contract from the Chicago White Sox right after graduating high school. The actor was also a talented singer, serving as the voice behind major hits like "Don't Give Up On Us" and "Silver Lady."

In an exclusive with PEOPLE, Soul's former "Starsky & Hutch" partner, Paul Michael Glaser, spoke from the heart and explained that "David was a brother, a friend, a caring man ... We shall never see his like again."

Reports surfaced on January 6 that "Caddyshack" and "Tron" star Cindy Morgan passed away at 69 years old. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office, the actor passed away due to natural causes.

The actor first entered showbiz by appearing in Irish Spring commercials. Then, soon after her career began, she found herself starring alongside comedy heavyweights like Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield in 1980's "Caddyshack." The film saw Morgan take on the iconic role of Lacey Underall, where she played the niece of Ted Knight's villainous Elihu Smails. Two years later, she starred opposite Jeff Bridges in Steven Lisberger's "Tron," playing the roles of Dr. Lora Baines and Yori. Morgan concluded her '80s run with television appearances in "Falcon Crest," "The Highwayman," "She's the Sheriff," and "Matlock."

Morgan's last official role came in 2022, where she had a voice role in "Face of the Trinity."

Before making his way to Hollywood, Adan Canto sought fame and fortune in Mexico City, working towards a career as a musician. However, after winding up in the world of commercials, Canto was then cast in the Mexican TV series "Estado de Gracia." From there, Canto got his big American break with "The Following," a crime thriller series starring Kevin Bacon. He would also appear in TV shows such as "Narcos," "Blood and Oil," and "Mixology," as well as showing up as the mutant Sunspot in the critically revered superhero flick "X-Men: Days of Future Past."

Of course, Canto was best known for his work on "Designated Survivor" and "The Cleaning Lady." In the former, Canto played Vice President-elect Aaron Shore, a politician struggling to restore order in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack that wipes out most of the powerful figures in Washington, D.C. In "The Cleaning Lady," Canto played mobster Arman Morales, who hires the titular cleaning lady to join his criminal enterprise. Tragically, Canto died on January 8, 2024, after battling appendiceal cancer. The actor was 42.

After graduating from Yale Drama School, Peter Crombie went on to play the scariest character in one of the funniest shows ever made. In Season 4 of the landmark NBC sitcom "Seinfeld," Crombie portrayed "Crazy" Joe Davola, a mentally unstable writer who karate kicks Kramer in the head, stalks Elaine Benes, and hunts Jerry Seinfeld while dressed as Pagliacci. Both creepy and comical, Crombie stole the spotlight every time he showed up to terrorize Seinfeld and company.

The actor also appeared in numerous movies such as "Se7en," "Natural Born Killers," and "Born on the Fourth of July." He kept busy on the TV side of things too, donning prosthetics to play the monster in the miniseries "House of Frankenstein," as well as popping up in projects like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Law & Order," "NYPD Blue," and "Walker, Texas Ranger." Sadly, Crombie died on January 10, 2024 after suffering an undisclosed illness. "Thank you for so many wonderful memories and being such a good man," his ex-wife, Nadine Kijner, wrote on Instagram. "Fly free into the unboundless source of light, Peter." He was 71.

While 1950s sitcoms like "I Love Lucy" and "The Donna Reed Show" focused on comfortable families in well-decorated homes, "The Honeymooners" focused on working-class folks holding down blue-collar jobs and shouting their way through tumultuous marriages. While the original series only ran for 39 episodes, it's stuck around in the pop cultural consciousness thanks to the four hilarious leads — Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, and Joyce Randolph.

Sadly, all four members of the cast are now gone, as Joyce Randolph died on January 13, 2024. The actress got her start in her theater and commercials before finding herself a member of Jackie Gleason's comedy circle. The legendary funnyman cast her in his variety show "Cavalcade of Stars" where the "Honeymooners" characters originated in recurring sketches, and they kept the characters alive in "The Jackie Gleason Show" before spinning them off into their own sitcom.

In "The Honeymooners," Randolph played the role of Thelma "Trixie" Norton, the wife of Art Carney's goofy Ed Norton, and while she didn't reprise the part in the revival series, she's still the face that people remember when they think about the character. Randolph was 99 when she died of natural causes at her home in hospice care.

While his filmography wasn't very long, David Emge will always have a spot in horror history thanks to "Dawn of the Dead." The 1978 horror film is hailed as one of the best zombie movies ever made, and in the beloved splatter flick, Emge played Stephen "Flyboy" Anderson, a helicopter pilot who memorably meets fate while trapped in a mall elevator.

An Illinois native, Emge was born in 1946, and after serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, the University of Evansville alum got his acting start in films like "The Devil and Sam Silverstein" and "The Liberation of Cherry Jankowski" (aka "The Booby Hatch"). During this time, Emge was working at a restaurant where he met horror director George A. Romero. Impressed with Emge, the filmmaker cast the actor in "Dawn of the Dead," where Emge would do his best to ward off zombies during the post-apocalypse.

Emge only played in two other movies after Romero's masterpiece — 1990's "Basket Case 2" and 1992's "Hellmaster" — but fans never forgot his turn in "Dawn of the Dead." In fact, Emge would regularly appear at horror conventions before his death on January 20, 2024. He was 77 years old.

Gary Graham started exploring strange new worlds in November 1995, when he played Ocampan leader Tanis in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Cold Fire." Graham evidently liked his time on "Star Trek" because he soon became a recurring face on the sister series "Star Trek: Enterprise." Here, the actor donned a pair of pointy ears to play the Vulcan ambassador Soval, showing up multiple times across the spin-off series. Graham would reprise the Vulcan in the unofficial fan film "Prelude to Axanar," endearing himself to the "Star Trek" community.

In addition to his time in the stars, Graham was also famous for more earthbound sci-fi, playing Detective Matthew Sikes in the TV show "Alien Nation." Graham would also pop up in some of the most famous TV shows ever made, including "The Incredible Hulk," "Moonlighting," "Ally McBeal," and "Walker, Texas Ranger." He also appeared in quite a few films, like Paul Schrader's "Hardcore" and "All the Right Moves," starring Tom Cruise. Tragically, the "Star Trek" actor died on January 22, with his death being called "sudden." Graham was 73.

While you probably don't recognize the name Herbert "Cowboy" Coward, you'll definitely recognize his toothless grin. In 1972, Coward horrified moviegoers with his terrifying turn in "Deliverance." Alongside veteran character actor Bill McKinney, Coward played a mountain man who assaults Ned Beatty and Jon Voight, leading to one of the most disturbing scenes ever shot for a mainstream movie. Coward also claimed to have created the movie's most infamous line, which was actually said by McKinney in the film: "Squeal like a pig."

However, Coward wasn't a professional Hollywood actor. Born in 1938, Coward was an illiterate North Carolinian who got his start in the theme park business. He earned his nickname — "Cowboy" — from operating the bulldozers that built the amusement park now known as Ghost Town Village. He also appeared in various stunt shows (which is how he lost his teeth), and it's also where he met fellow performer Burt Reynolds. Years later, the now-famous Reynolds recommended Coward for "Deliverance," and thus, one of the scariest scenes in cinema was created.

Sadly, Coward died on January 24, 2024, after his vehicle was involved in an accident. He died with his girlfriend, Bertha Brooks, and his two pets — a chihuahua and a squirrel. Coward was 85.

Hollywood legend Carl Weathers died on February 1, 2024 at the age of 76. His family confirmed his passing in a statement obtained by Deadline, saying that "he died peacefully in his sleep." The statement went on to add, "Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations."

While Weathers did have a short football career — where he briefly played for the Oakland Raiders — he'll forever be remembered as boxer Apollo Creed from the "Rocky" series. In the first film, Weathers brought a Muhammad Ali cockiness to the character who finds himself challenged by Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa, and over the course of the series, Weathers added more layers to the character, making him more vulnerable and sympathetic as Apollo went from Rocky's enemy to ally.

Weathers also became a part of action history and meme history when he shared a competitive handshake with Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Predator." Speaking of hands, he memorably lost one in the Adam Sandler classic "Happy Gilmore," where he played the hilarious golfer Chubbs Peterson. On the TV side of things, Weathers starred as an exaggerated version of himself on "Arrested Development," and he found popularity with younger fans thanks to his turn as Greef Karga in "The Mandalorian." With other projects like "Toy Story 4" and "Action Jackson" under his championship belt, Weathers will be remembered and loved by audiences for generations to come.

Fans of the British version of "The Office" were saddened to hear that Ewen MacIntosh had died on February 19, 2024 at the age of 50. The Welsh actor was best known for his "Office" role of Keith Bishop, the Scotch egg-loving accountant who was more or less the original Kevin Malone (Brian Baumgartner). MacIntosh will be remembered for stand-out moments in episodes like "Charity" and "Appraisals," as well as turns in the British soap opera "EastEnders" and the films "Finding Fatimah" and "The Lobster."

After MacIntosh's death, "The Office" creator and star Ricky Gervais took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to mourn his passing, calling the comedian "an absolute original." While the cause of death is unknown at the time of this writing, MacIntosh's management company, Just Right Management, revealed that MacIntosh had been struggling with health-related issues for a couple of years. Celebrate the actor's hilarious legacy by pulling up some episodes of the OG "Office" and enjoying a couple of Scotch eggs.

"Never Say Never Again" holds a weird place in James Bond history. It stars Sean Connery as 007, but it isn't an official Bond flick, as it wasn't produced by Eon Productions, the studio behind almost every other James Bond movie. Nevertheless, "Never" was the 14th highest-grossing movie of 1983, beating out titles like "Scarface," "The Right Stuff," and "The Dead Zone." It also introduced the world to a new Miss Moneypenny, one played by Pamela Salem, who put her own spin on M's secretary after Lois Maxwell had played her for so long.

This wasn't the first time Salem had teamed up with Connery, as the two had previously played in 1978's "The Great Train Robbery." In addition to appearing in a Bond movie, Salem also showed up in an equally famous (and long-running) U.K. series: "Doctor Who." Portraying different characters, she showed up in the 1977 episode "The Robots of Death" (with Tom Baker's Doctor) and 1988's "Remembrance of the Daleks" (with Sylvester McCoy's Doctor). Salem also played in projects like "EastEnders" and "Gods and Monsters" before her death on February 21, 2024. She was 80 years old.

Chris Gauthier passed away on February 23, 2024. The actor was 48 years old, and according to Deadline, he "died from an unspecified short illness."

Gauthier's filmography is pretty huge, as the man starred in over 100 movies and TV shows. Fantasy lovers will no doubt recognize him as William Smee from ABC's "Once Upon a Time," and horror junkies will immediately recall his fiery demise in "Freddy vs. Jason." Both superhero fans and Snyder bros will remember him from his brief but crucial appearance at the end of 2009's "Watchmen," and devotees of Hallmark may have spotted him in several cozy movies, such as "The Christmas House."

In addition to those aforementioned projects, Gauthier has appeared in TV shows like "Eureka," "Legends of Tomorrow," "Supernatural," "Smallville," "Charmed," and "Joe Pickett," as well as movies such as "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" and "Beyond the Black Rainbow." Gauthier will be missed by family and friends, and with such a massive filmography and having worked with masters such as John Carpenter ("Cigarette Burns") and Christopher Nolan ("Insomnia"), Gauthier will be missed by fans as well.

Born in 1974 in Toronto, Kenneth Mitchell would later leave Canada behind and venture into the stars — well, on TV anyway. Mitchell would often appear on "Star Trek: Discovery," playing various characters throughout the show. He portrayed three different Klingons during the first two seasons of the series, and he played Emerald Chain scientist Aurellio in Season 3. Sadly, Mitchell was suffering from ALS at this point, but the "Discovery" crew came up with an ingenious way of incorporating Mitchell's wheelchair into the show. They simply had his character use a hoverchair to get around.

In addition to voicing multiple characters in "Star Trek: Lower Decks," Mitchell also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the father of a young Carol Danvers in "Captain Marvel." He also played in the CBS series "Jericho," The CW's "Frequency," the Freeform show "Switched at Birth," and the ABC series "The Astronaut Wives Club." Sadly, even though Mitchell continued to act while struggling ALS, he eventually died on February 24, 2024. His family released a statement on Instagram that read, "For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment, to living a full and joyous life in each moment. He lived by the principals that each day is a gift and we never walk alone." Mitchell was 49.

With his all-black attire and acerbic wit, Richard Lewis was a major player in the 1970s comedy scene. He appeared on multiple talk shows, including "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "Late Night with David Letterman," and in addition to his comedy specials, he also made his mark on the world of acting. Lewis starred alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in the ABC sitcom "Anything but Love," played in the Mel Brooks comedy "Robin Hood: Men in Tights," and showed up in the Nicolas Cage drama "Leaving Las Vegas."

Of course, Lewis' most famous role has to be playing himself on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Lewis and "Curb" creator/star Larry David were childhood friends, and the two had hilarious chemistry whenever they traded barbs on the classic HBO series. Lewis even appeared in the show's final season before he died on February 27, 2024. The comedian had been struggling with Parkinson's disease, but he died at his home due to a heart attack at the age of 76.

Writing about his dear friend and frequent collaborator, Larry David said in a statement, "Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he's been like a brother to me. He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that I'll never forgive him."

While "Star Wars" isn't exactly "Game of Thrones" when it comes to memorable kills, there are a handful of notable death scenes happening a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Who can forget Obi-Wan sacrificing himself in the duel against Darth Vader? Or the absolute slaughter of all our "Rogue One" heroes? But perhaps the most memorable death in the franchise is about five seconds long, when Vader Force-chokes the apologetic Captain Lorth Needa for failing to capture the Millennium Falcon. The scene is capped by Vader's hilarious one-liner, "Apology accepted, Captain Needa."

The actor who brought Captain Needa to life — before winding up on the wrong side of the Force — was Michael Culver. In addition to his memorable moment in Hollywood's most famous franchise, Culver also starred in projects like "From Russia with Love," "A Passage to India," and the British TV series "The Return of Sherlock Holmes." Eventually, Culver stepped away from acting to focus on political activism, such as protesting the Iraq War. Sadly, the British actor died on February 27, 2024, leaving behind a life full of activism, acting, and an all-time "Star Wars" scene. He was 85 years old.

Mark Dodson played one of the most memorable characters in "Return of the Jedi," and while we never saw his face, we all remember his hilariously annoying laugh. Dodson became a lasting part of the "Star Wars" franchise by voicing Salacious B. Crumb, Jabba the Hutt's monkey-lizard jester who always chuckled at the misfortunes of others. After cackling at Luke Skywalker, Dodson voiced more pint-sized troublemakers, playing pretty much every little creature in the "Gremlins" and "Gremlins 2: The New Batch," aside from Gizmo (Howie Mandel) and Stripe (Frank Welker).

In addition to those iconic '80s roles, Dodson did some zombie voice work in George A. Romero's "Day of the Dead." You could also hear his vocal talents in projects like "The Force Awakens," "Ewoks: The Battle of Endor," "Darkwing Duck," and video games like "Ghostrunner" and "Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga."

Sadly, Dodson died of a heart attack on March 2, 2024 at the age of 64. According to a statement on Facebook posted by his talent agency, Stellar Appearances, "Mark worked on dozens of movies, video games, commercials and advertisements adding his unique voice and sound to each character and script he touched. Mark truly loved his fans and enjoyed meeting them at conventions around the world. Mark was honored to be inducted into dozens of the local chapters of the Star Wars 501st Legions over the past several decades."

The legendary film critic Roger Ebert knew a thing or two about movies — so much so that he created his own rules and maxims about the cinematic experience. One of his most famous dictums was the Stanton-Walsh Rule, where Ebert explained that "no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad." We lost Stanton in 2017, and sadly, M. Emmet Walsh died on March 19, 2024. However, it's safe to say that Walsh left behind a filmography that lives up to Ebert's famous rule.

Sci-fi fans will most likely recognize Walsh as Captain Bryant of "Blade Runner" fame — the cop who sends Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard on a mission to eliminate a group of rogue replicants. Coen Brother devotees will immediately know Walsh as Loren Visser, the murderous private detective in the siblings' first feature film, "Blood Simple." And the man really hated cans, as evidenced by his rifle-toting turn in Steve Martin's "The Jerk."

On top of all that, Walsh was a part of projects like "The Iron Giant," "Critters," "Harry and the Hendersons," "Raising Arizona," "Knives Out," and "Romeo + Juliet" — just to name a few films. And that's not even mentioning his extensive work in the world of TV, such as playing Grandaddy Roy Gemstone in HBO's religious satire "The Righteous Gemstones." When the prolific actor passed away, he was 88 years old.

Louis Gossett Jr. made history at the 55th Academy Awards, becoming the first Black man to win the prize for best supporting actor. Gossett walked away a winner that night thanks to his turn in 1982's "An Officer and a Gentleman," where he played the hardcore gunnery sergeant Emil Foley, who pushed Richard Gere's character to the mental and physical brink. Of course, that wasn't the first trophy Gossett had earned for his phenomenal work. Years earlier, he'd won an Emmy for his breakout turn in the miniseries "Roots," where he played Fiddler, a mentor to Levar Burton's Kunta Kinte character.

Before all that, Gossett got his start on the stage, making his Broadway debut in "Take a Giant Step" at the age of 17. From there, he made his way to TV and movies, playing in big-screen genre fare like "Enemy Mine," "Iron Eagle," and "Jaws 3-D," as well as small-screen projects like "Psych" and "ER." In addition to his big Emmy win, Gossett would net six additional Emmy nominations for turns in series like HBO's "Watchmen," "Touched by an Angel," and "Sadat," where he played Egyptian president Anwar Sadat — a role he described to Variety as his favorite.

The actor's most recent titles included 2023's "The Color Purple" and voice work in 2024's "IF." Tragically, Gossett died on March 29, 2024. His passing was revealed to the Associated Press by his cousin, Neal L. Gossett, although the cause of death hasn't been revealed. The history-making actor was 87.

It's always sad when an actor passes away, but it's devastating when the actor was far too young. So it was especially heartbreaking when the world learned that Chance Perdomo died on March 29, 2024. The actor was just 27 years old when had a fatal motorcycle accident (no one else was hurt in the incident). Perdomo undoubtedly had a bright future ahead of him, as he'd already made his mark in two incredibly popular genre shows: "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and "The Boys" spin-off "Gen V."

In "Sabrina," Perdomo played the mischievous warlock Ambrose Spellman, cousin of the titular witch and lover of fashionable robes. In "Gen V," the actor portrayed Andre, a Godolkin University student with some impressive magnetic manipulation powers. In addition to those shows, Perdomo earned a BAFTA nomination for his turn in the BBC Three drama "Killed by My Debt," and fans of romance movies will no doubt recognize him for his work in the "After" film series.

Speaking about Perdomo's sudden and shocking death, the producers of "Gen V" released a statement saying, "We can't quite wrap our heads around this. For those of us who knew him and worked with him, Chance was always charming and smiling, an enthusiastic force of nature, an incredibly talented performer, and more than anything else, just a very kind, lovely person. Even writing about him in the past tense doesn't make sense. We are so sorry for Chance's family, and we are grieving the loss of our friend and colleague. Hug your loved ones tonight."

The "Yellowstone" community was hit with tragedy when Cole Brings Plenty was found dead on April 5, 2024. The young actor had played Pete Plenty Clouds on the "Yellowstone" spin-off series "1923." The character was an important part of the Teonna Rainwater storyline, which involved the horrors committed by Catholic schools against Native Americans. In real life, Brings Plenty was also the nephew of "Yellowstone" stalwart Mo Brings Plenty, who portrays Thomas Rainwater's right-hand man Mo in the flagship series. The younger Brings Plenty also appeared in the series "Into the Wild Frontier" and "The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger." 

Unfortunately, the actor became a suspect in a case involving domestic violence. Brings Plenty was then reported missing, and when police eventually found him in the woods, the "1923" actor was dead. At this time, authorities aren't sure of the cause of death.

After the young man's passing, Moses Brings Plenty shared a statement on Instagram from Cole's father, Joe, which read, "We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the prayers and positive thoughts you sent for Cole. We would also like to thank everyone who came to walk beside us as we searched for my son and provided the resources we needed to expand our search areas. I learned this week how many people knew the goodness in Cole's heart and loved him." Brings Plenty was 27.

When people think about O.J. Simpson, acting isn't what usually first comes to mind. Perhaps those who live and breathe sports will initially remember him as one of the best running backs of his day. After winning the Heisman Trophy at USC, Simpson went on to play for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers before eventually being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Of course, when most people think about Simpson, they immediately recall the murders of the football star's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. After becoming a suspect in their deaths, Simpson jumped into his infamous Ford Bronco and led police on a slo-mo chase across Los Angeles. When he was eventually arrested, Simpson became the center of the "Trial of the Century," where his expert team of lawyers got him acquitted. However, Simpson was found liable in a civil lawsuit filed by Ronald Goldman's family, and he also later served time for a robbery involving sports memorabilia in 2007.

But for our purposes, Simpson did actually have a Hollywood career. Among other things, he played alongside LeVar Burton in one of the best miniseries ever made, "Roots." He starred as security chief Harry Jernigan in the landmark disaster movie "The Towering Inferno." And perhaps most famously, "The Juice" appeared in all three "Naked Gun" movies as Detective Nordberg, an officer who constantly gets hurt in the funniest ways possible. Needless to say, the scandal surrounding Simpson and Goldman's murders killed Simpson's acting career, and the pop culture icon died on April 10, 2024 of prostate cancer. He was 76.

Born on December 17, 1994 in Blackley, Manchester, Bernard Hill first garnered attention in "Boys From the Blackstuff," a five-episode BBC drama about working-class Brits in the 1980s. The series was extremely popular in the U.K., but even so, how could Hill know that one day he'd star in two of the biggest blockbusters of all time?

Years after the BBC series, Hill would crash into an iceberg and bravely go down with the ship as Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron's "Titanic." At the time, the movie became the highest-grossing film ever made and would win 11 Academy Awards. Only two other films have nabbed that many Oscars ... and believe it or not, Hill actually played a pivotal part in one of those movies.

Fantasy fans will definitely recognize Hill as Théoden from Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The British thespian first appeared in "The Two Towers" as the possessed king of Gondor, who's eventually freed by Gandalf and then takes part in one of the greatest action scenes in movie history — the Battle of Helm's Deep. Hill would then reprise the role in the trilogy capper, "Return of the King," which would match "Titanic's" 11 Oscar wins.

In addition to those massive movies, Hill also appeared in projects like "Gandhi," "The Scorpion King," "True Crime," and "ParaNorman." Sadly, the actor died early on May 5, 2024, leaving behind an impressive cinematic legacy that fans will enjoy for years and years to come. He was 79.

If you're a fan of sci-fi and fantasy, then you've no doubt seen Ian Gelder. The British star appeared in numerous beloved projects, such as "Doctor Who," "His Dark Materials," and "Torchwood: Children of Earth." Perhaps most famously, Gelder starred as Kevan Lannister in "Game of Thrones." Gelder portrayed the level-headed and well-intentioned brother of Tywin Lannister, and after opposing Cersei's intentions to manipulate the young king Tommen and secretly run the show, Kevan suffers one of the more memorable deaths in "Game of Thrones" — burning to death in the Sept of Baelor, courtesy of Cersei's wildfire plot.

Sadly, Gelder was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in his later years, and the "Game of Thrones" actor died on May 6, 2024. After his passing, Gelder's husband, Ben Daniels, left a post on Instagram, writing, "He was the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being. He was a wonderful, wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light. ... He coped with his dreadful illness with such bravery, with no self pity. Ever. He was remarkable and will be so missed." Gelder was 74.

In the history of horror, some scary scenes stand far above the rest. There's the head-spinning moment in "The Exorcist," the shower sequence in "Psycho," and the chestburster's grand entrance in "Alien." But perhaps the most horrific moment of all comes in the opening moments of "Jaws," when a young woman is brutally attacked by a great white shark and dragged under the waves, making sure a generation of moviegoers never got back in the water.

That poor unfortunate soul, Chrissie, was played by Susan Backlinie, a swimmer and stuntwoman who had plenty of aquatic experience before being cast in Steven Spielberg's landmark movie. Backlinie was a high school swimming champ, a professional diver, and a mermaid performer, making her the perfect fit for a scene requiring comfortability in the ocean. She would later reteam with Spielberg to parody her iconic death scene in the World War II comedy "1941."

In addition to "Jaws," Backlinie would work as both a stunt person, an animal trainer, and an actor in projects like the TV version of "The Fall Guy" and "The Great Muppet Caper." Sadly, Backlinie died May 11, 2024, at the age of 77. She's survived by her husband, Harvey.

A Texas Army veteran turned iconic character actor, Dabney Coleman was beloved by friends and family. But on the screen, characters often despised Coleman's characters because he specialized in playing bullies, louts, and sleazebags. He broke into the spotlight as corrupt mayor Merle Jeeter in the soap opera parody "Marty Hartman, Mary Hartman," portrayed a chauvinistic boss who gets his comeuppance in "9 to 5," and memorably played a sexist TV director in the Dustin Hoffman comedy "Tootise."

Coleman also showed up alongside Matthew Broderick in the Cold War sci-fi classic "War Games," as well as titles such as "Cloak and Dagger" and "You've Got Mail." Taylor Sheridan fans will likely recognize him as John Dutton's dad on "Yellowstone," he nabbed multiple SAG trophies for his turn in "Boardwalk Empire," and he was also involved in projects like Disney's "Recess" and "Ray Donovan."

Sadly, Coleman died in his Santa Monica home on May 16, 2024. Speaking about the loss, Coleman's "9 to 5" costar Dolly Parton said on Instagram, "Dabney was a great actor and became a dear friend. ... He was funny, deep, and smart. We remained friends through the years, and I will miss him greatly as many people will."

A towering Hollywood presence — both metaphorically and physically — Donald Sutherland died of an unspecified, lengthy illness on June 20, 2024. The legendary actor was 88, leaving behind an acclaimed filmography filled with all-time classics.

Sutherland first grabbed everyone's attention in 1967 with one of the greatest war movies ever made, "The Dirty Dozen," which would influence films like "Inglourious Basterds" and "The Suicide Squad." Sutherland followed that up with another iconic war film, 1970's "M*A*S*H*," a dark, dark comedy that hilariously skewered the Vietnam-era military machine and laid the groundwork for the beloved TV show of the same name.

As the '70s continued, Sutherland would star in "Klute" as a detective trying to protect Jane Fonda's sex worker from a vicious killer. He'd follow that up with the majorly disturbing "Don't Look Now" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" — two of the best horror movies ever made — as well the Oscar-winning "Ordinary People," where he played a father struggling to keep his family together after a terrible tragedy.

Younger audiences perhaps know Sutherland best as the sadistic, iron-fisted President Snow from the "Hunger Games" franchise, and he's also appeared in films and TV shows such as "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," "JFK," "Backdraft," and 2005's "Pride and Prejudice." Writing about his father on Instagram, "24" star Kiefer Sutherland said, "I personally think [he was] one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad, or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived."

The great Bill Cobbs was a classic "that guy" actor. While never a blockbuster star, he was immediately recognizable, always brought his A-game, and elevated every movie and TV show he worked on. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Cobbs got his acting start on the stage with New York's Negro Ensemble Company, with included luminaries such as Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. Shortly thereafter, he made the jump from stage to screen with a quick appearance in the classic heist movie "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three."

From there, Cobbs was unstoppable, starring in big-deal movies such as the Dan Aykroyd/Eddie Murphy comedy "Trading Places," the Coen brothers' underrated "The Hudsucker Proxy," and the Wesley Snipes' crime thriller "New Jack City." Cobbs also appeared in Wes Craven's wild horror film "The People Under the Stars," the indie sci-fi flick "The Brother From Another Planet," and the Kevin Costner/Whitney Houston romance "The Bodyguard."

Cobbs was also the coach who put a dog on the court in "Air Bud," and he was also one of three old janitors plotting against Ben Stiller in "Night at the Museum." The man also appeared in countless famous TV shows — we're talking "One Tree Hill," "NYPD Blue," "The West Wing," "Agents of SHIELD," and "The Sopranos," among others. Toss in their movies like "Demolition Man," "Oz the Great and Powerful," and "That Thing You Do!," and Cobbs' filmography just gets more and more impressive.

Sadly, Cobbs died of natural causes on June 25, 2024. His brother, Thomas G. Cobbs, wrote on Facebook, ""Bill was a phenomenal human being in addition to being a spectacular actor. He was very kind, giving and attentive to others." Cobbs was 90 years old.

Much like his "Arrested Development" character Gene Parmesan, Martin Mull could pop up anywhere and prompt screams of delight from comedy fans. The beloved funnyman got his start in show business as a songwriter and musical comedian before breaking into acting in the world of Norman Lear, playing in both Lear's soap opera satire "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and his talk show parodies "Fernwood 2 Night" and "America 2-Night."

From there, he appeared in one of the funniest movies ever made, starring as Col. Mustard alongside an ensemble cast in 1985's "Clue." He showed up in other movies such as "Mr. Mom," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and the 1996 "101 Dalmatians." He was the bad guy trying to stop the Olson twins in "How the West Was Fun," and he had a quick cameo as a terrified radio DJ in "Jingle All the Way." However, many fans probably know him best for his TV work, as he portrayed Roseanne Barr's boss in "Roseanne," the high school principal in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," a drug-using pharmacist in "Two and Half Men," and the aforementioned Gene Parmesan in "Arrested Development," a not-so-great detective with a penchant for wearing disguises and making Lucille Bluth hilariously scream.

Sadly, Mull died of an undisclosed illness on June 27, 2024. The comedy actor was 80 years old. His daughter, Maggie Mull, announced his passing on Instagram, writing, "He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials. He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny."

A truly unique screen presence, Shelley Duvall captivated audiences with her big eyes and bold performances every time she stepped in front of a camera. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Texas native was discovered by staff members working for director Robert Altman, and after making her debut in his "Brewster McCloud," the two became a cinematic powerhouse. Counting "McCloud," they made seven movies together, including "Nashville," "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," and the Robin Williams-starring "Popeye," where Duvall played Olive Oyl.

Of course, Duvall is most famous for playing the terrified Wendy Torrance in "The Shining," a woman trapped in a haunted hotel and hunted by her ax-wielding husband (Jack Nicholson). "The Shining" was an infamously difficult shoot, especially for Duvall. Not only did the movie take 13 months to film, director Stanley Kubrick was especially hard on her, forcing her to do endless takes and pushing her to the breaking point. However, despite the widespread myth, those close to her have said "The Shining" didn't play any part in Duvall's struggles with mental illness later in life.

Duvall also left her footprint in the world of TV, hosting "Faerie Tale Theatre," "Tall Tales & Legends," and "Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Series" for Showtime. Eventually, Duvall withdrew from Hollywood before making an infamous appearance on "Dr. Phil," but she eventually did return to acting in 2023 with the horror film "The Forest Hills." Near the end of her life, Duvall had the support of her partner Dan Gilroy and friend Sarah Lukowski, who runs the Shelley Duvall Archive on X. Sadly, the legendary actress died on July 11, 2024, in her sleep, due to complications arising from diabetes. She was 75.

After playing Jenny Wilder in "Little House on the Prairie," Shannen Doherty became a '90s sensation on "Beverly Hills, 90210." Here, she played lead protagonist Brenda Walsh, a Minnesota high school student who moves to California and must navigate the glitzy suburb while dealing with all sorts of soap opera problems. Leaving the show after four seasons, she then starred in another big-deal TV show, "Charmed," where she portrayed telekinetic witch Prue Halliwel.

Doherty was something of a lightning rod for controversy during her runs on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," with reports of on-set feuds and with fans turning on her. However, none of that drama could compare to the struggle Doherty would face later in life. In 2015, she announced that she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she used the opportunity to openly discuss the disease and shine a light on breast cancer awareness. Even during her struggle, she kept busy, appearing in projects like "BH90210," "Riverdale," the "Heathers" TV show (having also played in the 1989 cult classic), and the Jean-Claude Van Damme actioner "Darkness of Man."

Sadly, after dealing with cancer for years, Doherty passed away on July 13, 2024. Speaking with People, publicist Leslie Sloane said, "The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie." And speaking about her "Charmed" costar, Alyssa Milano also told People, "It's no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of. She was a talented actress, beloved by many and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her." Doherty was 53.

Born on September 5, 1929, Bob Newhart had no idea that one day he'd become a world-renowned comedian. In fact, he started off as an accountant before a short stint in radio led to his Grammy-winning album "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart." From there, the deadpan comic with the stammering style made his way into TV, leaving a lasting mark with two classic sitcoms.

In CBS' "The Bob Newhart Show," the titular star played clinical psychologist Bob Hartley, a man dealing with several unique patients and a very quick-witted wife. After nearly 150 episodes, he jumped into another CBS sitcom, "Newhart," where he played New York writer Dick Loudon running a Vermont inn that's filled with some pretty kooky characters. After lasting for eight seasons, "Newhart" cemented its place in pop culture with one of TV's very best endings.

Disney fans might know Newhart best for voicing the unassertive yet brave Bernard in both "The Rescuers" and "The Rescuers Down Under." And if you love the Christmas classic "Elf," then you no doubt remember Newhart as Buddy's adoptive dad, Papa Elf. He also appeared in projects such as "The Big Bang Theory," "ER," "Desperate Housewives," and "Horrible Bosses." Plus, he won numerous accolades, such as being inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame and being awarded the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Sadly, the legendary comedian died on July 18, 2024. According to his publicist, Jerry Digney, Newhart passed away after dealing with a series of short illnesses. Newhart was 94.

"Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives" is commonly hailed as one of the best entries in the "Friday the 13th" series. It's the movie that gave us the first instance of zombie Jason, and it expertly blended horror and comedy, resulting in a movie with both thrilling kills and winking moments.

Perhaps one of the silliest scenes in the movie — which we mean as a totally sincere compliment — is when Jason comes upon a group of business executives playing paintball in the woods. The most memorable member of the bunch is the bespectacled Roy, played by Whitney Rydbeck. Roy isn't the best paintball player in the world, but he's taking the game very seriously. Unfortunately, the fun comes to a screeching halt when a machete-wielding psycho shows up, but Roy does his best to fight Jason off with a paintball pellet to the chest ... before running off wide-eyed into the woods.

In addition to starring in the famous slasher film, Rydbeck also appeared in projects like "Rocky II," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Scrubs," among others. Sadly, he died on July 15, 2024. Speaking with Bloody Disgusting about his passing, "Jason Lives" director Tom McLoughlin explained how he'd written the role of Roy specifically for Rydbeck, saying, "His comic performance is still making audiences and fans laugh almost 40 years later." Rydbeck was 79.

Cheng Pei-pei is one of the most legendary names of the wuxia genre (action movies featuring ancient Chinese warriors performing acrobatic sword battles). Born in 1946, Chen became a key player at the Shaw Brothers studio, which produced many martial arts classics. One of those films was titled "Come Drink With Me," which featured Cheng as Golden Swallow, a woman who allies with a drunk to rescue her kidnapped brother. The movie is considered a wuxia landmark, and Quentin Tarantino even considered remaking it at one point. According to The New York Times, Cheng would earn the nickname "Queen of Swords" for her many martial arts performances across her career.

Most Western audiences, however, would recognize Cheng from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Here, she played the villainous Jade Fox, the mentor of the unstoppable swordswoman Jen Yu. "Crouching Tiger" would become the highest-grossing non-English film in the U.S – a record it's held since 2000 — and it would also win best foreign language film at the Academy Awards. In other words, the martial arts genre owes a great debt to Cheng. (Disney fans might also recognize her as the Matchmaker from the live-action version of "Mulan.") Sadly, the Queen of Swords died on July 17, 2024, after having been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease in 2019. She was 78.

While the "Halloween" franchise has largely revolved around the three big leads — Michael Myers, Laurie Strode, and Dr. Sam Loomis — the margins have always been populated by notable and colorful characters such as Sheriff Leigh Brackett. The Haddonfield lawman appeared in the first "Halloween" film, assisting Dr. Loomis in his hunt for Michael but not before the masked murderer kills his daughter, Annie. Brackett briefly reappeared in "Halloween II" and joined the mob in "Halloween Kills" before getting slaughtered by Michael Myers. Brackett is also responsible for one of the series' most famous lines: "It's Halloween. Everyone's entitled to one good scare."

In short, Brackett played a key part in the classic if convoluted franchise. That was largely thanks to actor Charles Cyphers, the man behind the badge. Born in Niagara Falls, New York, Cyphers graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and California State, University, and soon after, he became a John Carpenter regular, not only appearing in "Halloween" but also "Assault on Precinct 13," "The Fog," "Escape From New York," and the director's TV movie "Someone's Watching Me!" In addition to those beloved titles, Brackett kept busy with appearances in shows like "Wonder Woman," "Charlie's Angels," "Roots," "ER," "Seinfeld," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as well as movies like "Major League."

Sadly, Cyphers died on August 4, 2024. Speaking with Variety, publicist Chris Roe revealed that the actor passed away from a brief illness. "Charles was a lovable and sensitive man," Roe said. "He always had the best stories, and you got a full performance while he told you. He was a close friend and client on many years who will be dearly missed." He was 85.

Born in 1952 in Welkom, South Africa, Connie Chiume started her professional career as a nurse, but that all changed in 1977 when she was bitten by the acting bug. After playing in the Greek musical "Sola Sola," she begin getting attention back in South Africa thanks to TV shows like "Inkom' Edla Yodwa" and "Rhythm City," but she wouldn't really become known to U.S. audiences until 2018, when she starred in one of the most popular movies in Hollywood history.

While she didn't star as a lead character, Chiume was nevertheless a notable character in Marvel's "Black Panther." In the landmark superhero movie, she appeared as Zawavari, a Mining Tribe Elder who sat on the Wakanda Tribal Council. Needless to say, "Black Panther" set box office records and became the first Marvel movie to win an Academy Award, and when we returned to Wakanda for the "Black Panther" sequel, Chiume returned as well, with her character replacing Forest Whittaker's late Zuri as the Elder Statesman of the vibranium-rich African nation.

In addition to those two MCU movies, she also played in Beyoncé's "Black Is King." The visual companion to "The Lion King: The Gift," a soundtrack created by Beyoncé to accompany the live-action Disney remake, Chiume plays the movie's version of Sarabi, the mother of a young prince who goes on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Sadly, Chiume passed away on August 6, 2024. She was 72.

While you might not recognize Rachel Lillis' face, you'd definitely recognize her voice. Lillis' voice role credits include titles such as "Hunter x Hunter," "Chaotic," and "Winx Club," but she's best known for her work in one of the most beloved video game adaptations of all time: the "Pokémon" TV series. 

Lillis played pocket monsters such as Jigglypuff, Vulpix, and Goldeen, and she also loaned her voice to the "Super Smash Bros." games. Of course, her most important contribution to "Pokémon" was voicing two of the lead human characters. First, she played the Cerulean City gym leader, Misty — one of the show's big leads. She also portrayed Jessie of Team Rocket fame, which means Lillis' characters were off facing off with one another. The actress worked in over 400 episodes of the show, but tragically, Lillis was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 and passed away on August 10 of the same year.

Writing on X, Lillis' "Pokémon" co-star Veronica Taylor (the voice of Ash Ketchum) remembered the actress with these tender words: "We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played. She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills. ... Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing. She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as Pokémon's Misty and Jessie being the most beloved." Lillis was 55.

One of the most important and ferocious actors of her generation, Gena Rowlands was born in 1930, and after getting her start on the stage, she made her sizable mark on the world of independent cinema. Rowlands met her husband, John Cassavetes, while attending the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts, and soon, the two were married and making some of the most powerful movies of the 1970s and '80s. Together, they worked on 10 films — all of which were visceral, intense, and grounded in naturalism.

In addition to titles like "Faces" and "Opening Night," Rowlands is most remembered for starring in "A Woman Under the Influence" and "Gloria," both directed by her husband. In the former, she portrayed a housewife experiencing a mental breakdown, while in the latter, she played a gangster's girlfriend trying to protect a kid on the run. In these films, her performances were raw and fierce, earning Rowlands Oscar nominations for both movies. After Cassavetes died in 1989, she would go on to play in projects like Woody Allen's "Another Woman" and the underrated horror film "The Skeleton Key." And while she never won a straight-up acting Oscar, she did receive an honorary Academy Award in 2015.

Of course, more modern audiences will most likely recognize her from one of the best romantic movies ever made, "The Notebook." Directed by her son, Nick Cassavetes, Rowlands played the older version of Rachel McAdams' character, who's suffering from dementia. Sadly, Rowlands herself would be diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2019, and while the official cause has yet to be announced, the revered actor died on August 14, 2024. She was 94.

While he was never a huge star in the U.S., Alain Delon was a pretty big deal outside Hollywood circles. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was a massive name in France, as well as countries like Japan. He also played in a series of films that hardcore cineastes hold dear, a la the Italian drama "Rocco and His Brothers," the historical epic "The Leopard," and "Purple Noon," the first movie to ever adapt Patricia Highsmith's acclaimed novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

However, Delon is most famous for his starring role in Jean-Pierre Melville's 1967 French neo-noir "Le Samourai." Here, Delon played a silent, fedora-wearing hitman who follows a strict code of conduct and is so incredibly cool that he's icy to the touch. You can see the DNA of "Le Samourai" and Delon's calm, collected character in movies like Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive," John Woo's "The Killer," and David Fincher's similarly titled "The Killer." Quentin Tarantino also acknowledged the film's influence, saying in a 1992 interview that the title "Reservoir Dogs" actually "sounds like something in an Alain Delon movie of Jean-Pierre Melville. ... I could see Alain Delon in a black suit saying, 'I'm Mr. Blonde.'"

Even John Wick's world of taciturn hitmen abiding by a certain set of rules owes something to Delon and his fashionably attired assassin. With that much cinematic influence, no wonder Delon was awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or in 2019. Sadly, that same year, the actor suffered a debilitating stroke, and in 2024, he was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. The actor — whose cause of death hasn't been revealed — died on August 18, 2024. He was 88.

If you're an anime fan, then you've definitely heard Atsuko Tanaka's voice bringing characters to life. She's played in nearly 300 anime and video games, including some of the most beloved properties of all time. Tanaka's biggest claim to fame is voicing Motoko Kusanagi, the protagonist of "Ghost in the Shell," widely considered one of the greatest anime movies ever made. On top of that, she loaned her vocal expertise to projects such as "Naruto," "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End," and "Jujutsu Kaisen," not to mention the video game "Bayonetta."

Sadly, Tanaka passed away on August 20, 2024. Writing on X, her son, Hikaru Tanaka, paid tribute to his mother, saying, "As per her wishes, I will not disclose the specific illness, but she bravely fought it for over a year with grace, humor, and strength. I believe it was a life that was truly characteristic of Atsuko Tanaka. I feel truly blessed to have had such a proud mother. Lastly, please do not forget that Atsuko Tanaka poured her heart and soul into the characters she loved and brought to life." She was 61.

A native of Philadelphia, actor, singer, and director James Darren was interested in acting from a young age and studied the craft in New York with legendary coach Stella Adler. Signed to a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1956, he made well-received if modest lead and supporting performances in a handful of films before landing the role of surf bum Moondoggie in 1959's "Gidget," opposite Sandra Dee (he also warbled the title song). Although he didn't even know how to surf, Darren reprised the role in two sequels after "Gidget" was a hit with young audiences, sparking both his acting and singing careers.

In addition to recording a number of pop hits and albums, Darren also appeared in films like "The Gene Krupa Story," "The Guns of Navarone," and "Diamond Head." While his film career never quite took off after the "Gidget" trilogy, he became a regular fixture on TV. A guest spot on producer Irwin Allen's "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" led to a starring role on Allen's short-lived 1966 series "The Time Tunnel," but Darren also showed up in "Love, American Style," "S.W.A.T.," "Charlie's Angels," "Hawaii Five-O," "T.J Hooker," and many others. Darren also turned to directing, helming episodes of numerous TV shows such as "The A-Team," "Beverly Hills 90210," and "Melrose Place."

In a nod to his other career, Darren even played a holographic lounge singer named Vic Fontaine on several episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" during the show's last two seasons. Darren died on September 2, 2024, in Los Angeles at the age of 88 from congestive heart failure.

A screen and stage titan, James Earl Jones was forever immortalized as the voice of Darth Vader, aka Anakin Skywalker, in 1977's "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope." While David Prowse and others portrayed Vader physically, Jones provided the deep, menacing voice behind the mask for the original "Star Wars" trilogy, as well as "Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," and "Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker." Jones' famous tones were also heard as the voice of Mufasa in 1994's "The Lion King," as well as on CNN for years ("This...is CNN"), not to mention numerous commercials.

But Jones wasn't just renowned for his voice. Born in Mississippi, Jones studied drama at the University of Michigan and began acting with local theater groups after a stint in the military. He made his Broadway debut in 1957 as an understudy in a play called "The Egghead," later garnering acclaim for his performances in Shakespeare classics and 1968's "The Great White Hope," for which he won a Tony Award (his first) for best actor in a play. His screen debut came in Stanley Kubrick's 1964 satire "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," and later film credits included "Claudine," "Conan the Barbarian," "Coming to America," "Field of Dreams," "The Hunt for Red October," and many more. He also logged numerous TV credits and continued to perform on the stage.

In addition to two Tonys, Jones received two Emmys, a Grammy, a Golden Globe Award, a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild, the National Medal of Arts, and an honorary Academy Award. He died on September 9, 2024, at his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93.